From Arkle to Red Rum, commemorative ceramic edition celebrates Irish horseracing’s all-time greats
Champion jockey Nina Carberry touched down at Dublin Airport Duty Free this morning (Friday, 13 February 2026) to officially unveil a striking new collector’s edition of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, celebrating Ireland’s legendary racehorses.
From Arkle to Red Rum, the special hand-made bottle features iconic Irish racehorses and marks the forthcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Horse, which begins next week.
Nina joined founder of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Pat Rigney, ARI’s Damien Smith and Dr YuPeng Liu, Chairman of the Industry and Commerce Association of Ireland (ICAOI) for the launch of the limited-edition ceramic bottle, which features historic Irish racehorses who defined the sport for over eight decades.
L-R Nina Carberry with Pat Rigney, ARI’s Damien Smith and Dr. Lupeng Liu (Industry and Commerce Association of Ireland (ICAOI)
Other big names taking pride of place on the special gold-foiled bottle are Irish St. Ledger Winner, Primero, who made his debut in 1931; Yeats, the only horse to have won the Ascot Gold Cup four times, as well as Galileo and Montjeu.
Nina Carberry said she was over the moon to be part of such an extraordinary tribute to Irish horseracing, which brought back so many memories from her 17-year career in the saddle, recalling her elation at winning the 2011 Irish Grand National on Organised Confusion, trained by her uncle Arthur Moore.
With seven Cheltenham wins also under her belt, Nina is widely regarded as one of the greatest amateur riders of all time. The Carberry family are one of the most-celebrated Irish horseracing families, both at home and abroad. Nina is a daughter of the legendary Tommy Carberry and her brothers are the renowned national hunt jockeys, Paul and Phillip Carberry.
The limited edition Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Year of the Horse ceramic bottle will be exclusively on sale at Dublin and Cork Airport Duty Free for a three-month period, with special celebrations around the collector’s edition bottle planned in-store to coincide with the Cheltenham festival next month. The bottle will hit shelves in over 100 countries and airports across the world over the coming months.
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is slow-distilled by hand with oriental botanicals and gunpowder tea at The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim which now employs over 100 local people.
Quotes:
Pat Rigney, Founder and Owner The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney:
“Creating The Chinese Year of the Horse edition presented a rare opportunity to honour Ireland’s extraordinary horse racing heritage. We are honoured to unveil this special collector’s bottle at Dublin Duty Free with our long-term friends and partners at ARI, who have been loyal supporters of our brands since the birth of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin in 2016. On a personal level, our family has always had a great affinity with horses – my children spent their teenage years helping out in local stables and learning to ride horses, and one has since gone on to work as a vet. When Nina visited us at The Shed Distillery, the home of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, it brought home how fitting and timely the decision was. With her remarkable place in Irish horseracing history, it made the connection very meaningful.”
Damien Smith, ARI Buyer said:
“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin to launch this stunning Year of the Horse edition. Dublin and Cork Airport Duty Free prides itself on showcasing the very best of Irish distilleries and this collector’s bottle is testament to that. It celebrates Ireland’s rich horseracing heritage in a way that will resonate with passengers from all over the world. We’re thrilled to offer this exclusive edition to our customers and to mark the Lunar New Year with such a unique tribute to Irish sporting legends.”
Nina Carberry Champion Jockey and MEP said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to be at Dublin Airport Duty Free for the launch of the Legendary Irish Racehorse Gunpowder Gin edition. I recently visited Pat at The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, so it’s particularly exciting to see a bottle that celebrates some great names in Irish horseracing.
Racing has given our family incredible memories that span generations. I will never forget watching footage of my dad winning the English National on L’escargot. Then, 25 years later, to see him train Bobbyjo and watch my brother go on to win the National on Bobbyjo too was incredibly special.
Later, to have my own success on Organised Confusion, trained by my uncle, made it great to be part of that history.”
Dr YuPeng Liu, Chairman of the Industry and Commerce Association of Ireland (ICAOI) said:
“Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin has been going from strength to strength in the Chinese market and is exceptionally well received by both consumers and trade partners. Each year, the Zodiac Edition becomes a true highlight—and a powerful symbol of cultural integration—bringing together the richness of Chinese tradition with the creativity and craftsmanship of Ireland, and building connection through shared appreciation, mutual respect, and collaboration.
With the Year of the Horse symbolising energy, ambition, and prosperity, we are confident Gunpowder will continue to expand across key regions in China and achieve even greater success this year.”
